1 GLOBAL CHANGE SYMPOSIUM 15 MARCH 2006 1 Physiological ecology of understorey trees in alternative...
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Transcript of 1 GLOBAL CHANGE SYMPOSIUM 15 MARCH 2006 1 Physiological ecology of understorey trees in alternative...
GLOBAL CHANGE SYMPOSIUM 15 MARCH 2006
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Physiological ecology of understorey Physiological ecology of understorey trees in alternative managementtrees in alternative management
systemssystems
Sophie BertinSophie Bertin Maurizio Mencuccini1, John Grace1, Mike Perks2, Nigel Straw2 & Bill Mason2
1 University of Edinburgh & 2 Forest Research
PhD project Co-Sponsored from the Forest Research Innovation Fund & the Torrance Bequest for Plant Ecology
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CCF : increasingly common alternative management system for British forests
Sitka spruce : dominant commercial tree species in the UK
Limited knowledge of desirable conditions for seedling regeneration and growth under CCF
Continuous Cover Forestry & Sitka SpruceContinuous Cover Forestry & Sitka Spruce
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Main defoliator of Sitka spruce
Sap feeding insect
Prediction: climate change is likely to enhance aphid population growth and therefore declines in Sitka spruce productivity (Straw, 1995).
Green Spruce Aphid & Climate Change (I)Green Spruce Aphid & Climate Change (I)
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Green Spruce Aphid & Climate Change (II)Green Spruce Aphid & Climate Change (II)
Life cycle of the green spruce aphid
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Research QuestionResearch Question
Low light conditions
GLOBAL CHANGE SYMPOSIUM 15 MARCH 2006
Aphid attack
&
??
How are Sitka spruce seedling growth and survival affected by the interactions between
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General Aim and HypothesisGeneral Aim and Hypothesis
General aim
Understanding seedling tree ecophysiology within CCF systems
Hypothesis
Low light level & aphid attack = poorer Sitka spruce seedling growth and survival
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Methods (I)Methods (I)
2006: Exploratory experiments
Short-term pot-plant shade/aphid experiment, NRS nursery, Roslin
Transect investigations of natural regeneration and treated trees in CCF sites, Borders
2007-08: Detailed experiments
Full field shade/aphid experiment, Roslin
Large scale field manipulation experiment, Wales
NRSBorders
Wales
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Methods (II)Methods (II)
Block 1 Aphid A+ A- A- A+ A+ A- A- A+ A- A+ A+ A-Shade % 92 70 0 83 50 76 Key
A+ : aphid infestationBlock 2 Aphid A- A+ A- A+ A+ A- A- A+ A+ A- A- A+ A- : no aphid infestation
Shade % 76 92 83 70 0 50
Block 3 Aphid A- A+ A+ A- A+ A- A- A+ A- A+ A- A+Shade % 0 92 50 70 76 83
Block 4 Aphid A- A+ A+ A- A- A+ A- A+ A+ A- A- A+Shade % 50 70 83 76 92 0
Layout of short-term pot-plant experiment 2006
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Assessment Protocols (I)Assessment Protocols (I) Aphid population size
(Straw and Green, 2001)
Plant allometry (architecture) and needle densities
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Assessment Protocols (II)Assessment Protocols (II)
Plant Physiological measurements
Photosynthesis
Chlorophyll fluorescence kinetics
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Research OutcomesResearch Outcomes
Guidelines for natural regeneration under CCF management systems
Implications for the impact of green spruce aphids on Sitka spruce
Development of chlorophyll fluorometer techniques to assist CCF stand manipulation
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Mike Perks (NRS) Maurizio Mencuccini (UoE) Forest Research staff University of Edinburgh
AcknowledgmentsAcknowledgments